Two friends Quote by Jonathon Safran Foer
![“Very often, those who express concern about (or even interest in) the conditions in which farmed animals are raised are disregarded as sentimentalists. But it’s worth taking a step back to ask who is the sentimentalist and who is the realist. […] Two friends are ordering lunch. One says, “I’m in…” quote by Jonathon Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/61d/jonathon-safran-foer-63650_sentimentalism_very-often-those-who-express-concern-abo_202760.jpg)
““Very often, those who express concern about (or even interest in) the conditions in which farmed animals are raised are disregarded as sentimentalists. But it’s worth taking a step back to ask who is the sentimentalist and who is the realist. […] Two friends are ordering lunch. One says, “I’m in the mood for a burger,” and orders it. The other says “I’m in the mood for a burger,” but remembers that there are things more important to him than what he is the mood for at any given moment, and orders something else. Who is the sentimentalist?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Sentimentalist and the Realist,” The New Yorker, 2015
Questioning who truly cares about animal welfare reveals bias in labeling concerns as sentimental.
In simple terms: We label concern as sentiment, but it may be realistic.
Key Takeaway
Examine assumptions about empathy and realism.
Themes
ethics
animal welfare
perception
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- restaurant choices
- consumer activism
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- Who decides what is sentimental?
- Can empathy be rational?
A Different Perspective
Sentiment can be dismissed, hindering progress.
![“An oxymoronic combination of the tough and tender, [Of Mice and Men] will appeal to sentimental cynics, cynical sentimentalists...Readers less easily thrown off their trolley will still prefer Hans Andersen. [Time 1937]” quote by Time-Life Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba8/time-life-books-283358_bad-reviews_an-oxymoronic-combination-of-the-tough-a_1199332.jpg)
![“I remember wanting to write a book with someone, the someone being Kate [DiCamillo], and we decided to write about two friends. We had no idea how to begin this project - neither of us had ever collaborated with another writer - and I'm pretty sure that we began by giving our two friends a sock…” quote by Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac6/kate-dicamillo-599_book_i-remember-wanting-to-write-a-book-with_115596.jpg)
